Hodgemail: Which NHL general manager is the best trader?

TSN.ca Staff2/3/2012 9:45:39 AM

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It's getting down to the wire for NHL general managers.

On Monday, Feb. 27 they will be front and centre on trade deadline day, looking to make the right deals to help their team make a playoff run, or in some cases, get the team into position to become an eventual contender.

While Brian Burke gets plenty of attention for his active approach in trying to improve his teams, there are also other GMs in the league who have successful track records.

And it's no coincidence that their teams are among the top teams in the NHL.

Take Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks. At last year's trade deadline, he made two depth moves - acquiring Chris Higgins and Maxim Lapierre - that were integral to the Canucks reaching the Cup final.

Boston GM Peter Chiarelli swung a pair of deals that helped shape a Cup winner. His trade of Phil Kessel landed them a draft pick that turned into Tyler Seguin, who was a key contributor to the Bruins' championship season. He also stabilized the blue line by picking up Tomas Kaberle.

Nevertheless, it is hard to top Burke's trading record, for the following reasons: his wheeling and dealing that allowed the Canucks to land both Sedins was masterful. Burke has his Stanley Cup ring from Anaheim and the trade for Chris Pronger helped him get it. And his big Toronto deals not involving Kessel were ones that gave the leafs Ottawa's favourite all-stars - Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul - clear wins for Burke.

The Leafs have to do more winning to make Burke the NHL's best general manager, but if you wanted a GM to make a trade, I think you'd pick Burke, just ahead of Chiarelli.